Operations Intern

Job Description:

Operations Intern

Description

Position Description

Working for the City of Tacoma is more than a job - it is an opportunity every day to make a difference and leave our community better than we found it.

In the Environmental Services Department, everything we do creates a better Tacoma by promoting healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound. It is why we exist, and we are committed to partnering with all of our community members, fostering a great employee culture, and continuing to improve our award-winning operations with a clear and unwavering focus on safety. We are looking for employees who embrace and live by our shared core values and commit to our shared purpose of making a difference in our community.

The Environmental Services Division of Solid Waste Management (SWM) is thrilled to announce our recruitment for two full-time temporary, operations interns. We are seeking highly motivated individuals, dedicated to public service, to join our team in providing exceptional service to the citizens and ratepayers of Tacoma. These temporary interns will have the exciting opportunity to learn from SWM staff and to develop skills in a wide variety of work areas. The successful candidates will have the chance to work with all sections within our division including Onsite Operations, Collections, Tidy-Up Tacoma, and Strategic Operations & Business Solutions. This is an excellent opportunity to join the City of Tacoma, gain valuable work experience, and personally contribute to positive change in our community!

If the personal traits listed below sounds like you, then you are just the type of person we are looking for to join our team!

• Outstanding customer service skills and professionalism.
• Strong personal motivation.
• Interested in a career in public service.
• Enjoy working with diverse communities.
• Enjoy learning new skills.

The interns selected for these positions will receive on-the-job training and engage in the following types of job duties:

• Assist in building, repairing, cleaning, maintaining, and delivering solid waste containers.
• Work at the Recovery and Transfer Center, learning and assisting in the operation and maintenance of the facility, including the Recycle Center.
• Train on and use manual and power tools.
• Learn traffic control techniques and assist with traffic control on site.
• Assist in keeping the facility clean and organized.
• Work in the field with the Tidy-Up Tacoma Team, cleaning up litter and debris in public spaces and servicing and maintaining our public litter cans.
• Work both indoors and outdoors with opportunities to learn office skills as well as perform hands-on labor.
• Assist with waste collection activities including operation of hydraulic devices on collection vehicles.
• Operate light-duty vehicles both on and off-site.
• Assist the public with waste disposal activities, answer questions, and provide customer service.
• Maintain accurate service location data by verifying and updating information within mapping software.

Educational Benefits:
Educational benefits derived by interns in this job include teamwork, tool use, computer skills, customer service, and employability skills.

Hours and Terms of the Position:
These are temporary, full-time positions that are expected to last six months with the potential to extend to one year.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Outdoor and indoor environment; subject to noise and fumes from equipment operation and adverse weather conditions.
• Position requires lifting, climbing, hoisting, and pulling.
• Some positions may require working weekends, holidays, and flexible hours.

Qualifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Some experience in performing heavy manual work; completion of the eighth grade; or any equivalent combination of experience and training
• Some experience providing customer service preferred

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Washington State Driver License required at time of appointment and maintenance thereafter
• Appointment is subject to passing a background check, pre-employment medical exam and drug screen

Knowledge & Skills

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Applicable occupational hazards and safety precautions

SKILLS:

• Ability to understand and follow specific oral instructions
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods, often under adverse climate conditions
• Maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Operate motor vehicles
• Perform heavy manual labor

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

WHY WORK FOR THE CITY?
The City of Tacoma offers a generous program of employee benefits:

• Outstanding working conditions and an exceptional quality-of-life environment.
• Deferred compensation allowing tax-deferred savings as authorized under Section 457 of the IRS Code.

Per City of Tacoma Personnel Management Policy #170, the City of Tacoma is a drug-free work environment. Appointment is subject to passing a background check and a pre-employment medical exam and drug screen and physical ability test. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Teamsters Local Union #117.

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Apply
Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

If you have any additional questions regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400 before 5pm on the closing date of this posting.

Agency
City of Tacoma
Address
Human Resources Department
747 Market Street
Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764
Phone
253-591-5400
Website
http://www.cityoftacoma.org

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 10/1/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$20.38 - $22.47 Hourly